Iraq: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Iraq is probably not the most popular travel destination in the Middle East, but it still has a much offer.

Especially now 🗿.

But it still has a lot to offer and is one of the cheaper destinations in the Middle East.

Be careful with with international roaming though – International roaming can be expensive, which is why using local and travel eSIMs is recommended to save money.

Not only will you save a lot of money by doing so, you do not have to deal with SIM card registration laws, which are often invasive (which includes Iraq).

How much will a local or travel eSIM for Iraq cost you?

You can get an eSIM for Iraq for as little as 9.50 USD from, Airalo (Babel Mobile).

I will also introduce you to a few global eSIMs that be used in Iraq and 80+ other countries, including Iraq's neighbors, for competitive rates.

Original publication: 12^th of October 2022. Last updated: 7^th of March 2024.

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Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

I will write about three eSIM options in Iraq (and explain why they are included).

But if you want to quickly check out what the best eSIMs are for Iraq without my analysis and explanations, here is an overview of the eSIMs covered in this guide:

• Airalo Iraq Babel Mobile eSIM with five choices between 1 GB and 10 GB (top pick)
• Airalo Menalink eSIM with three choices between 1 GB and 3 GB
• Airalo Discover Global eSIM with five choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (top pick) – read my ongoing Airalo Discover Global eSIM review too!

The eSIM providers are in alphabetical order per grouping (Iraq-only, regional & global) – not in order of preference (you would have to read the complete guide to find out which eSIMs I love the most for Iraq 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?

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Airalo Babel Mobile eSIM for Iraq

Airalo is probably a name you have heard of when researching travel eSIMs worldwide – perhaps even for Iraq.

That is because it is the largest and oldest eSIM platform worldwide, covering around 190 countries (more than any other eSIM platform out there).

Its extensive worldwide coverage attracted me to Airalo early on – even when I did not have an eSIM-compatible phone and had to use my dad's phone for testing purposes.

He did not like me stealing his phone so often… so I eventually got my own 🗿.

Anyway, Airalo has an eSIM that can be used in Iraq – it is called Babel Mobile.

It is impossible for Airalo, or any other mobile operator, to operate in every country (and do not trust any company saying otherwise), so they set up roaming agreements.

Yes, I said roaming, but this is not the type of international roaming that will result in a 3000 USD roaming bill – do not worry!

What Airalo does, and basically all mobile operators do, is partner up with a local mobile operator so that their customers can still stay connected when abroad.

In the case of Iraq, Airalo's Babel Mobile eSIM uses the Zain Iraq network up to 3G (no 4G/LTE and certainly no 5G NR yet, unfortunately).

Zain Iraq has the second-best coverage and the second-fastest speeds in Iraq, so you know you will have a smooth network experience with the Babel Mobile eSIM.

Be aware: most travel eSIMs, including Airalo's Iraq Babel Mobile eSIM, are data-only eSIMs, so you cannot call or text with them (nor can you receive any calls or SMS).

Anyway, the following Airalo Iraq Babel Mobile eSIM is available:

1. Iraq/Babel Mobile 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 5 USD
2. Iraq/Babel Mobile 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 9 USD
3. Iraq/Babel Mobile 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 12 USD
4. Iraq/Babel Mobile 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 17.50 USD
5. Iraq/Babel Mobile 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 30 USD

Now, you may think this is a sad selection or that 1 GB of data is insufficient.

Both points are true… I agree – but you can make unlimited top-ups with the Babel Mobile eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.

So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Babel Mobile 1 GB eSIM and get four 1 GB top-ups.

Yes, it is a bit inconvenient for now; Airalo may offer 3 GB, 5 GB & 10 GB plans with a 30-day validity for Iran soon, as it did for many other countries it supports.

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Local Iraqi eSIM for Prepaid Customers

If you want the best and full network experience, including being able to call and text, you want to get a local eSIM.

You have three mobile operators in Iraq: Zain Iraq, Asia Cell & Korek.

Currently, no Iraqi mobile operator offers eSIMs to prepaid customers.

For more information about the plans offered by the Iraqi mobile operators, check out my Iraq SIM card buying guide.

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International eSIM for Iraq & More Countries

Okay, I went over the Iraq travel eSIM options offered by Airalo.

As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Iraq and not in neighboring Iran, Jordan, Saudi Arabia or Syria.

So what if you plan on visiting any of those countries, or you are on a world tour and wish to use one eSIM in multiple countries – do you have any other options?

Yes, you do. Airalo have regional, global & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include Iraq too.

So let's see which multi-country eSIMs can be used in Iraq and other countries, including Iraq's neighbors.

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Airalo Menalink eSIM

Airalo recently introduced an eSIM for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Menalink. The Menalink eSIM follows the popular Eurolink eSIM for 39 European countries, the fairly new Asialink eSIM for 13 Asian countries & the super new Latamlink eSIM for 19 Latin American countries.

The Menalink eSIM comes in three variants: 1 GB/7 days – very popular with PTW readers, 2 GB/15 days – very popular with PTW readers & 3 GB/30 days – most popular with PTW readers, to be used in Iraq and 14 other Middle Eastern and Northern African countries:

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

Airalo Discover Global eSIM

Airalo was probably the first eSIM reseller to introduce a global eSIM, called Discover Global.

This eSIM can be used in 80+ countries, including Iraq, often offering up to 4G/LTE coverage in those countries.

Be aware: Just like with the Airalo Babel Mobile eSIM, you will also get 3G speeds on the Zain Iraq network with the Airalo Discover Global.

My plan is to use the Discover Global eSIM in all supported countries to give you insights into how the eSIM performs in each nation.

As you can expect, this will be a multi-year process (unless I visit each country for two days… but then I would not be able to give you the meaningful insights you know and love me for!)

As this will be a long ongoing project, I suggest you check out the review occasionally to see if I have used it in the country you plan on visiting.

In 2023, I will mostly be visiting Asian, European & North American countries – the review itself has my travel plans for the year (and an estimated month on when I will share the country-specific results in the review).

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Overview of the Best eSIMs for Iraq (Airalo)

I introduced you to various travel eSIMs that can be used in Iraq.

So, which eSIM do I recommend the most? Here is my recommendation order:

• Airalo Iraq Babel Mobile eSIM (top pick)
• Airalo Menalink eSIM
• Airalo Discover Global eSIM (top pick)

Remember a code is unnecessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.

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Buying a SIM Card in Iraq

Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?

Consider getting an Iraqi SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.